CONCERTS & TOURING 11
FAMILIAR FACES Following previous collaborations, Universal Pixels were delighted to reunite its working relationship with video director and show creative Matt Askem, lighting and show designer Tim Routledge, production manager Paddy Hocken and Neg Earth Light’s Sam Ridgway, who led rigging and automation.
Pre-production emerged as an
BLOOD, SWEAT AND COLLABORATION
moved and lighting states changed, this created shifting levels of opacity and visibility. In addition, two further ROE Visual Vanish V8T screens were used as static I-Mag screens, again fed via Disguise media servers, and all powered by Brompton Technology’s Tessera SX40 LED video processors. It’s probably unsurprising that pulling off such a feat in a live touring context was not even remotely easy to achieve. Running at 50 frames per second, the system had to process tracking data and render content and output to the screens with minimal latency – all while integrating live camera feeds and generative elements. However, Annibal is quick to point out that this is not about going out and declaring a brand-new universal standard. “The production design required the servers to process and calculate content in real time to achieve the overall show design. This is not necessarily the future of all shows – more an additional tool in the arsenal to deliver shows in the best way possible to satisfy artistic intent.”
On Dave’s tour, Universal Pixels weren’t just responsible for the media servers or content playback, they also handled the entire video ecosystem, including its infrastructure and integration. This holistic approach proved to be essential in a production where so many different elements needed to work together.
unsung hero of the project. Long before the tour hit rehearsals, extensive testing was carried out
WATCH ME Scan here for Dave’s live performance of Black
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